Central UP Events

Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will unveil two exhibits in its new gallery space in 223 Harden Hall: “The Conservationists: George Shiras III, Theodore Roosevelt and the Migratory Bird Act”; and a permanent display of artifacts, photographs and stories about NMU. The opening reception begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 31. “The Conservationists” focuses on the relationship between Shiras and Roosevelt and how the two helped shape conservation and environmental policy in the United States during the early 1900s. The exhibit will feature actual correspondence between the two figures from the collection of the Central Upper Peninsula and NMU

February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027 This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following

Registration fees are $195 per team until May 8th and $215 May 9th until May 13th.  Be a Part of U.P. History  What makes The Big Bay Relay different from any other relay? It is the Upper Peninsula’s most esteemed and historic race relay event. Join the Noquemanon Trail Network in celebrating the 48th annual Big Bay Relay kicking off at the Kaufman Sports Complex Saturday, May 16th 2026!  The relay welcomes runners of all levels and we cannot wait to see what creative team names our runners come up with for the 2026 race! Teams are composed of five

Deadline June 12, 2025.  The Marquette Kiwanis Club proudly announces our 31st year of sponsoring the Marquette July 4th Parade with the City of Marquette-starting at 2 pm on Saturday July 4th at McClelland & W. Washington. Online Application to enter Parade, click the link and fill out the application form at https://bit.ly/KiwanisMQTParadeApplication. Theme: One Nation Indivisible – Celebrating 250 Years!    To encourage youth participation, 10 grants of $150 to defray float costs along with fee waivers will be given to youth sports, dance and theater groups. Contact Pam Simmons to apply (see below). Also, we offer an accessible

April 23 – June 10, 2026 Opening Reception: Thursday, April 23, 7-8:30pm HANCOCK, Mich. – Existing between different spaces while not fully belonging to one or the other is something many people experience. What does it mean to belong and how do we know when we do belong? Liminal Sanctuaries, a new exhibition by Michigan artist Bonnie Loukus, features oil paintings of solitary animals and forest floor ecosystems, in between reality and some incorporeal place where they exist without human interference. The exhibit opens with a reception at Finlandia Art Gallery on Thursday, April 23 at 7pm and will be

May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk   Jurassic Art Reception on August 4th, 2026  3:00pm-6:00pm   Calling all young artists! Youth of all ages are encouraged to submit art to the Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk beginning May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Artists may find inspiration in the Summer Reading: Unearth a Story theme, but are not confined to the given theme for their art pieces. We ask that your submissions do not exceed 12 inches in any direction, and that only one art piece is submitted per child. Submissions

Saturday, May 2, 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room.  Four mindfulness meditation and yoga teachers invite you to engage in a year of mindful living. Each month, one of the teachers will present a topic that addresses the different dimensions where we can practice mindfulness and presence. The intent is for us to cultivate mindfulness, care, and well-being individually and in our love, business, and social relationships. These are drop-in sessions, although committing to a full year is a way to build a consistent mindfulness practice.  For more information and to check

Saturday May 2, 2026.  11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Families with youth of all ages are invited to a special meet & greet with local author & illustrator Mary Anne Welch & Meghan Bjork. Their new picture book “There’s Gnome Place like Marquette” follows the Marquette adventures of a little gnome who wonders what it would be like to wander. Kids will be thrilled to recognize familiar features of Marquette as they follow the little gnome throughout the story! At the event Mary Anne and Meghan will read their story and answer questions. Kids

Small Business Week May 3 – 9